Magnetic recording head, magnetic reproducing head, magnetic head, tape drive and disk drive

ABSTRACT

A magnetic recording/reproducing head having a plurality of magnetic head elements for multi-channeling capable of achieving high density recording/reproducing capability, including: a plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head layers each including magnetic recording/reproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two insulating/magnetic shielding layers laminated on a non-magnetic substrate; the total of magnetic recording/reproducing head elements formed therein are displaced from each other in a head width direction, and each magnetic recording/reproducing head layer has a plurality of magnetic recording/reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present document is based on Japanese Priority ApplicationJP2002-140556, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on May 15, 2002, thecontents of which being incorporated herein by reference to the extentpermitted by law.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a magnetic recording head, a magneticreproducing head, a magnetic head, a tape drive and a disk drive using asimilar, and in particular, relates to a technology for facilitatingarrangement of a plurality of magnetic heads (including both magneticrecording heads and magnetic reproducing heads) (hereinafter referred toas multiplicity of magnetic heads) in order to achieve higher recordingdensity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, in order to realize large capacity of storage for magneticrecording media, an increasingly higher recording density is requiredfor magnetic heads, so that the use of magnetic heads suitable forreducing a recording track width thereof (hereinafter referred to as“width reduction”) has been increasing.

Further, in order to realize a large capacity storage and a high densityin magnetic recording and reproducing of information, provision of amultiplicity of channels is desired (hereinafter referred to as a“multi-channeling”), and hence a multi-channeled magnetic head is ondemand.

As an example of such type of a multi-channeled magnetic head, there is,for example, a head that is formed by laminating a plurality of magneticrecording head elements or magnetic reproducing head elements on onecommon substrate via a magnetic shielding layer, an insulating layer andthe like has been proposed by the present applicant of the presentinvention.

A magnetic head disclosed in the JP-A Laid-Open No. 2001-6750 isdirected to a magnetic recording head, and a magnetic head disclosed inthe JP-A Laid-Open No. 2000-348377 is directed to a magnetic reproducinghead.

Both of those magnetic heads mentioned above are formed by laminating aplurality of magnetic recording head layers or magnetic reproducing headlayers, each layer including a single magnetic head element, on asubstrate made of a non-magnetic substance, and displacing all magnetichead elements from each other in an orthogonal direction relative to adirection of lamination thereof (herein after referred to as a “headwidth direction”).

As a result, multi-channeling of the magnetic head is enabled, and eachmagnetic head element is placed in proximity or overlapped in thedirection of the head width thereby enabling to respond to narrowerrecording track.

The number of channels required for a magnetic recording medium nowadaysis not limited to 2 channels or 4 channels, but several tens ofchannels, for example, 40 channels or more are demanded. This is becausethat in the field of information recording, a further speedup inrecording speed and/or reproducing speed is desired, therebynecessitating a provision of a greater multiplicity of channels forrecording and reproducing information to and from a recording medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above-mentioned magnetic recording head or the magneticreproducing head, if a magnetic head having, for example, 40 channels isto be fabricated, magnetic head layers each having a magnetic headelement must be laminated as many as 40 layers.

However, when a plurality of magnetic head layers are laminated, thereoccurs a problem that, due to an error in accuracy of positioning(alignment error) between each magnetic head element in its widthdirection, a displacement between the top magnetic head element and thebottom magnetic head element in the head width direction becomesconsiderably large.

In other words, when forming a magnetic head element having a head widthof, for example, 1 μm, an alignment error between two magnetic headelements adjacent in the direction of lamination is considered to beapproximately 0.05 μm.

This is caused by the fact that, when forming magnetic head elements bya thin film processing, each layer thereof is formed by masking with amask and depositing a film, however, there is a limit to securingaccuracy in positioning of each masking in the lamination.

Then, for example, in the case described above in which the magnetichead layers having the magnetic head element having the head width of 1μm are laminated as many as 40 layers, a maximum displacement betweenthe uppermost and the bottom magnetic head elements becomes:0.05 μm×40=2 μm,Hence, a ratio of displacement relative to the width of the magnetichead element (equal to a track width in the case of the magneticrecording head element) becomes substantially large so that it cannot beignored.

As a result, there is a limit to the number of laminations allowable forthe magnetic head layers, thereby preventing the multi-channeling, andin consequence, the higher recording density and reproducing ofinformation.

The present invention has been contemplated in view of theabove-mentioned problems associated with the conventional technology,and to achieve a further improvement in the recording and reproducingdensity by an increased multi-channeling of the magnetic head elements.

A magnetic recording head according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention includes a plurality of magnetic recording head layerslaminated on a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, each of theplurality of magnetic recording head layers including magnetic recordinghead elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed betweentwo insulating layers, and all of the magnetic recording head elementsbeing displaced from each other in a head width direction constitutingan orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination, theplurality of magnetic recording head layers comprising a plurality ofmagnetic recording head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a tape drive having a magnetic recording head forrecording a signal on a recording medium in tape form and a tape runningmeans for running the recording medium in tape form along apredetermined run path; the magnetic recording head includes a pluralityof magnetic recording head layers laminated on a substrate made of anon-magnetic material, each of the plurality of magnetic recording headlayers including magnetic recording head elements interposed between twoinsulating layers, all of the magnetic recording head elements formedtherein being displaced from each other in a head width directionconstituting an orthogonal direction relative to a direction oflamination thereof; and said plurality of magnetic recording head layersincludes a plurality of magnetic recording head elements formed at apredetermined pitch.

As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, as the plurality of magnetic recording head elements areformed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic recording head layer,recording tracks are formed on the recording medium using a number ofmagnetic reproducing head elements corresponding to an integer multiple(two or more) of the number of laminations.

As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, as the plurality of magnetic recording head elements areformed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic recording head layer, awidth of each magnetic recording head element can be reduced and analignment error between each recording head elements can be minimized,thereby enabling recording further narrower recording tracks with higherdensity, hence permitting realizing a multi-channeling capability forthe magnetic recording head.

Further, a magnetic reproducing head device according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention is provided, including aplurality of magnetic reproducing head layers laminated on a substratemade of a non-magnetic material, each of the plurality of the magneticreproducing head layers including magnetic reproducing head elementsfabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two magneticshielding layers, and all of the magnetic reproducing head elementsbeing displaced from each other in a head width direction constitutingan orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination; theplurality of magnetic reproducing head layers including a plurality ofmagnetic reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a tape drive apparatus is provided having a magneticreproducing head for reproducing a signal from a recording medium intape form and a tape running means for running the recording medium intape form along a predetermined transport path; the magnetic reproducinghead includes a plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers laminatedon a substrate made of a non-magnetic material, each of the plurality ofmagnetic reproducing head layers having magnetic reproducing headelements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between twomagnetic shielding layers, and all of the magnetic reproducing headelements formed therein being displaced from each other in a head widthdirection constituting an orthogonal direction relative to the directionof lamination thereof, and the magnetic reproducing head layers includea plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements formed at apredetermined pitch.

As a result, according to this preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, as the plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements areformed at a predetermined pitch in each magnetic reproducing head layer,reproduction of information from recording tracks is performed by use ofa number of magnetic reproducing head elements corresponding to aninteger multiple (two or more) of the number of laminations.

Further, according to this preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, as the plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements isformed at a predetermined pitch by the thin film process in eachmagnetic reproducing head layer, a width of each magnetic reproducinghead element can be reduced, and an alignment error between eachmagnetic reproducing head element can be minimized, thereby enabling toreproduce information from further narrower recording tracks with higherdensity.

According to still another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, in a magnetic reproducing head, any two magnetic reproducinghead elements adjacent in the direction of lamination via a magneticshielding layer share a common magnetic shielding layer existingtherebetween, thereby capable of omitting one step of the laminationprocesses hence achieving a cost reduction.

Still further, a magnetic reproducing head according to still anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention, in which two magneticreproducing head elements adjacent in the direction of lamination viamagnetic shielding layers, further has an insulting layer interposedbetween two magnetic shielding layers existing between the two magneticreproducing head elements, thereby enabling to eliminate a crosstalktherebetween, thus permitting achieving higher density.

Further, a magnetic head according to another preferred embodiment ofthe present invention includes a plurality of magnetic reproducing headlayers each having magnetic reproducing head elements fabricated by athin film process and interposed between two magnetic shielding layersand a plurality of magnetic recording head layers each having magneticrecording head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposedbetween two insulating films, laminated on a substrate made of anon-magnetic material, and all of the magnetic reproducing head elementsbeing displaced from each other in a head width direction constitutingan orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination thereof;the magnetic reproducing head layers comprise a plurality of magneticreproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch; the magneticrecording head layers has a plurality of magnetic recording headelements formed at a same pitch as the plurality of magnetic reproducinghead elements; and each magnetic reproducing head element and eachmagnetic recording head element are formed approximately at a similarposition in the head width direction, forming a pair.

Still further, a tape drive according to still another preferredembodiment of the present invention is provided with a magnetic head forrecording and reproducing a signal to and from a recording medium intape form, and a tape running means for running the recording medium intape form along a predetermined running path; the magnetic head includesa plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers each having magneticreproducing head elements fabricated by a thin film process andinterposed between two magnetic shielding layers, and a plurality ofmagnetic recording head layers each having magnetic recording headelements fabricated by a thin film process and interposed between twoinsulating layers, laminated on a substrate made of a non-magneticmaterial, all of the magnetic reproducing head elements therein beingdisplaced from each other in a head width direction constituting anorthogonal direction relative to the direction of lamination, and all ofthe magnetic recording head elements therein being displaced from eachother in the head width direction; each magnetic reproducing head layerincludes a plurality of magnetic reproducing head elements formed at apredetermined pitch; each magnetic recording head layer includes aplurality of magnetic recording head elements formed at a similar pitchas that of the plurality of the magnetic reproducing head elements, andeach magnetic reproducing head element and each magnetic recording headelement are formed approximately at a similar position in the head widthdirection, forming a pair.

A disk drive according to still another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is provided with a magnetic head for recording andreproducing a signal to and from a disk-shaped recording medium, and adrive mechanism for rotating the disk-shaped recording medium; themagnetic head includes: a plurality of magnetic reproducing head layerseach including magnetic reproducing head elements fabricated by a thinfilm process and interposed between two magnetic shielding layers; and aplurality of magnetic recording head layers each including magneticrecording head elements fabricated by a thin film process and interposedbetween two insulating layers, both being laminated on a substrate madeof a non-magnetic material, all of the magnetic reproducing headelements formed therein being displaced from each other in a head widthdirection constituting an orthogonal direction relative to a directionof lamination, and all of the magnetic recording head elements formedtherein being displaced from each other in the head width direction;each magnetic reproducing head layer includes a plurality of magneticreproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch; each magneticrecording head layer includes a plurality of magnetic recording headelements formed at a similar pitch as that of the plurality of magneticreproducing head elements; and each magnetic reproducing head elementand each magnetic recording head element are formed approximately at asimilar position in the head width direction, forming a pair.

As a result, according to the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, in each magnetic head layer, there are provided a pluralityof magnetic reproducing head elements or a plurality of magneticrecording head elements formed at a predetermined pitch respectively,thereby the magnetic head having a number of the magnetic reproducingheads and the magnetic recording heads corresponding to an integermultiple of the number of laminations (two or more) in order toreproduce and record information to and from recording tracks.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as inrespective magnetic head layers there is provided a plurality ofmagnetic reproducing head elements and a plurality of magnetic recordinghead elements, formed at a predetermined pitch, a width of each magneticrecording head element and each magnetic reproducing head element can bereduced, and alignment errors between respective magnetic recording headelements or respective magnetic reproducing head elements can beminimized, thereby enabling to record and reproduce information to andfrom narrower and higher density recording tracks, thereby providing amagnetic recording and reproducing head capable of coping with a trendtowards an ever increasing multi-channeling.

In addition, according to the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, magnetic reproducing head layers and magnetic recording headlayers are alternately laminated to provide a pair of a magneticreproducing head element and a magnetic recording head element adjacentin the direction of lamination via a magnetic shielding layer and aninsulating layer, and the pair of the magnetic recording head elementsand the magnetic reproducing head elements residing in a magneticrecording head layer and in a magnetic reproducing head layerrespectively adjacent to each other in the direction of lamination.,both of the pair can be formed in proximity to each other, therebyenabling to minimize an alignment error in the head width directionbetween each magnetic recording head element and each reproducing headelement of the pair.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, asafter a plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers are laminated toform a magnetic reproducing head layer group, a plurality of magneticrecording head layers are laminated to form a magnetic recording headgroup, then, the magnetic reproducing head layer group and the magneticrecording head layer group are laminated, a manufacturing processthereof is substantially simplified.

In other words, as environmental conditions such as temperature at thetime of manufacture of the magnetic recording head layer or of themagnetic reproducing head layer differ, if it is arranged so as tochange the environment after completion of the manufacture of themagnetic recording head layer for a subsequent manufacture of themagnetic reproducing head layer, an alteration cycle of the processenvironment can be reduced to once, thereby substantially simplifyingthe manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description ofthe presently preferred exemplary preferred embodiment of the presentinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view depicting a conventional a tape driveapparatus;

FIG. 2 shows, together with FIGS. 3 to 5, a first exemplary preferredembodiment of the present invention, and in particular, it depicts arelationship between a magnetic recording head and recording tracks;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cut-out portion of themagnetic recording head;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a rotary drum;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional relationshipbetween recording tracks and the magnetic recording head;

FIG. 6 shows, together with FIG. 7, a second exemplary preferredembodiment of the present invention, and in particular, it shows aschematic diagram indicating each positional relationship at a firstrevolution, a second revolution and a third revolution of the magneticrecording head;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram indicating each positional relationshipbetween the magnetic recording head and recording tracks at respectiverounds;

FIG. 8 shows, together with FIGS. 9 and 10, a third exemplary preferredembodiment of the present invention, and in particular, it shows arelationship between a magnetic reproducing head and recording tracks;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a rotary drum;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional relationshipbetween recording tracks and the magnetic reproducing head;

FIG. 11 shows a modified version of the magnetic reproducing headaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention, and inparticular, it shows a positional relationship between its magneticreproducing head and recording tracks;

FIG. 12 shows, together with FIG. 13, a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention, and in particular, it depicts each positional relationship ata first, a second and a third revolutions of the magnetic reproducinghead;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram indicating a positional relationshipbetween the magnetic recording head and the recording tracks at eachrevolution;

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and inparticular, it shows a diagram indicating a relationship between itsmagnetic head and recording tracks;

FIG. 15 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and inparticular, it shows a diagram indicating a relationship between itsmagnetic head and recording tracks; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of a disk drive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By referring to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are described in detail.

First, an overview of a conventional tape drive will be described byreferring to FIG. 1.

A tape drive 1 is provided with: a rotary drum unit 2; guide pins 5, 5,. . . which form a predetermined tape path for a tape-form recordingmedium 4 by pulling it out from a tape cassette 3 and winding around therotary drum unit 2; reel tables 7, 7 for supporting reels 6, 6 of thetape cassette 3; a capstan axis 9 for running the tape-form recordingmedium 4 in collaboration with a pinch roller 8, and so on, as shown inFIG. 1.

The rotary drum unit 2 is mounted with its axial center slightlyslanting relative to the plane of a chassis 10, and when a tape cassette3 is loaded, its tape-form recording medium 4 is pulled out toward therotary drum unit 2 by the guide pins 5, 5, . . . to be wound around therotary drum 2, and at a similar time, the tape-form recording medium 4is gripped between the pinch roller 8 and the capstan axis 9 therebyforming a tape run path, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a state in which the tape cassette 3 isloaded in the tape drive apparatus 1 and the tape path is formed.

After the tape path is formed, when the rotary drum 2 and the capstanaxis 9 are rotated, the tape-form recording medium 4 is caused to runalong the tape run path at a constant speed.

By way of example, the above-mentioned parts such as “guide pins 5,pinch roller 8, capstan axis 9” correspond to “a tape running means forrunning a recording medium in tape form along a predetermined runningpath” as will be described later.

The rotary drum unit 2 described above is provided with a stationaryaxis 11 mounted on the chassis 10, a rotary drum 12 rotatably supportedby the stationary axis 11 via a bearing (not shown), and a stationarydrum 13 disposed under the rotary drum 12 and fixed to the chassis 10,the stationary drum 13 and the rotary drum 12 being mounted opposing toeach other and having a predetermined clearance there between; a notch(not shown) is formed in a bottom edge portion in a perimeter of therotary drum 12, and in the notch there are disposed a magnetic recordinghead 20, a magnetic reproducing head 40 or a magnetic head 60, describedlater.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 show a first exemplary preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, in which a magnetic recording head 20 having eightpieces of magnetic recording head elements is mounted on its rotary drum2.

FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of an enlarged portion of themagnetic recording head 20, shows a frontal view as seen from a sidethereof in contact with the tape-form recording medium 4.

The magnetic recording head 20, as shown in FIG. 2, is formed bysequentially laminating four layers of magnetic recording head layers21, 21, . . . on a bottom non-magnetic substrate 22, and an uppernon-magnetic substrate 23 on the uppermost magnetic recording head layer21.

Each magnetic recording head layer 21 has two insulating layers 24, 24and a magnetic film layer 25 interposed between these insulating layers24, 24, wherein a bottom magnetic pole 26 is formed on the magnetic filmlayer 25 partially protruding in an upper direction as viewed from thefront side, and an upper magnetic pole 27 formed over the bottommagnetic pole 26 spaced apart therefrom with a predetermined distance(hereinafter referred to as gap) G, which in combination form a magneticrecording head element 28 as shown in FIG. 2.

More specifically, the magnetic recording head element 28 is formed bywinding a coil 30 around a core 29 formed in a U-shape as viewed from alateral direction, wherein the upper and bottom end portions of the core29 correspond to the upper pole piece 27 and the bottom pole piece 26,as illustrated in FIG. 3.

By applying a current through the coil 30, a magnetic field is inducedin the gap G between the upper pole piece 26 and the bottom pole piece27, thereby enabling to form a record track Tr in the tape-formrecording medium 4 running in contact with or in proximity to the gap Gas shown in FIG. 2.

This magnetic recording head element 28 is formed to have a width (headwidth W₁), for example, W₁=1 μm, and a gap G of G=0.1 μm (see FIG. 2).

The bottom and the upper non-magnetic substrates 22 and 23 are made ofAlTiC, for example. The insulating layers 24, 24, are made of, forexample, Al₂O₃. Further, the magnetic thin film layer 25 is preferablymade of a ferromagnetic material such as, for example, Ni—Fe(Permalloy), Si—Al—Fe (Sendust), amorphous iron core material (highlymagnetically permeable thin film) and the like.

In one magnetic recording head layer 21 there are disposed two magneticrecording head elements 28, 28 separated by a predetermined distancefrom each other in the direction of the head width thereof. As a result,the magnetic recording head 20 thus assembled according to the firstembodiment of the present invention has eight pieces of the magneticrecording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in total, as illustrated inFIG. 2.

Any two magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 adjacent in thedirection of lamination via an insulating layer 24 are made share onecommon layer of insulating layer 24. As a result, the magnetic recordinghead 20 is composed by alternately laminating five layers of insulatinglayers 24, 24, . . . , 24 and four layers of magnetic film layers 25,25, . . . , 25 between the bottom non-magnetic substrate 22 and theupper non-magnetic substrate 23, more specifically such as “the bottomnonmagnetic substrate 22-insulating layer 24-magnetic film layer25-insulating layer 24-magnetic film layer 25-insulating layer 24- . . .-insulating layer 24-the upper nonmagnetic substrate 23”, as shown inFIG. 2.

As to a positional relationship between each magnetic recording headelements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic recording head layers 21,21, . . . laminated as described above, adjacent elements in thedirection of the lamination are formed such that their edge linesapproximately match with each other. As a result, a pitch P₁ of thelaminated magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , in the headwidth direction is formed approximately equal to the width (W₁=1 μm) ofthe magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , hence P₁=W₁ (seeFIG. 2).

Further, a distance ω₁ between the two magnetic recording head elements28 and 28 in a similar magnetic recording head layer 21 is formed to beω₁=3 μm. As a result, the magnetic recording head element 28 on theleft-hand side in the uppermost magnetic recording head layer 21 and themagnetic recording head element 28 on the right-hand side in the bottommagnetic recording head layer 21 are positioned such that they do notoverlap in the direction of lamination and that their edge lines oneither side nearest to the other are linearly aligned in the directionof lamination (see FIG. 2).

Accordingly, all of the eight pieces of the magnetic recording headelements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic recording head 20 thusconstructed are ensured to be positioned without overlapping in thedirection of lamination.

Further, as this magnetic recording head 20 is fabricated using the thinfilm process, and if an alignment error between any two adjacentmagnetic recording head elements 28 and 28 in the direction oflamination is assumed to be 0.05 μm, a maximum alignment error betweenthe bottom magnetic recording head element 28 and the uppermost magneticrecording head element 28 can be suppressed to:4×0.05 μm=0.2 μm.

Still further, because the two magnetic recording head elements 28, 28in a similar magnetic recording head layer 21 are formed with a samemask, there is almost no alignment error between these two magneticrecording head elements 28, 28.

Therefore, a problem of the alignment errors that must be consideredamong these eight pieces of the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28,. . . , 28 is only in the direction of the lamination. According to themagnetic recording head 20 of this first embodiment of the presentinvention, as described above, a ratio of displacement relative to thewidth of W₁=1 μm of the magnetic recording head element 28 can besuppressed within 20%, which is within a range that does not affect therecording of recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . .

In addition, in order to increase the number of channels, instead ofmerely increasing the number of laminations, it is possible to increasethe number of magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 formed within asimilar magnetic recording head layer 21, thus an overall positionalaccuracy (alignment accuracy) among each of magnetic recording headelements 28, 28, . . . , 28 can be further improved, thereby enabling torecord a narrower record track Tr than the conventional one, andcorrespond to the demand for an ever increasing number of channels.

By way of example, in the above description, an allowable range of theratio of displacement relative to the head width W₁ was set to be 20%,however, this is only one example, and it may be arranged also such thatif its allowable range is large, the number of laminations may beincreased, conversely, if its allowable range is small, the number oflaminations may be reduced.

The magnetic recording head 20 thus assembled is mounted on the rotarydrum 12 so that a direction of scanning thereof with respect to thetape-form recording medium 4 coincides with the direction of thelamination described above (refer to FIG. 4).

Hence, according to the magnetic recording head 20 of the presentinvention described above, there have been accomplished such advantagesthat the width of each of magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . ., 28 can be reduced, and alignment errors between each of magneticrecording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 can be minimized, therebyallowing for the magnetic recording head 20 to record a narrower andhigher density record track, implementing an enhanced multi-channelingwith a further increased number of channels (see FIG. 5).

Further, in the first exemplary preferred embodiment of the presentinvention described above, among the four pieces in lamination of themagnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28, any two magneticrecording head elements 28 and 28 adjacent in the direction oflamination share a common insulating layer 24 therebetween, therebyallowing to omit one of the lamination processes, hence realizing a costreduction in the manufacture.

In the description of the first exemplary preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the magnetic recording head 20 is described by way ofexample in which the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . ,are laminated in the number of four, however, the number of laminationsthereof is not limited thereto, and it may be two, three or any number,provided that a final alignment error between the laminated magneticrecording head elements 28, 28, . . . is within an allowable range.

Further, the above magnetic recording head 20 is described by way ofexample, in which the four layers of magnetic recording head layers 21,21, . . . , 21 are formed so as to be hold between the upper and thebottom non-magnetic substrates 22 and 23, however, this example isdirected to a magnetic recording head suitable for use with thetape-form recording medium 4, and in the case for use with a disk-shapedrecording medium, it may be arranged such that the aforementionedinsulating layers 24, 24, . . . and magnetic recording head layers 21,21, . . . are alternately laminated on one common non-magneticsubstrate.

Still further, although in the above description of the first embodimentof the present invention, it is set forth that the magnetic recordinghead elements 28, 28 adjacent in the direction of lamination are formedsuch that their left and right edge portions match, it is not limited tosuch configuration, so that the edge portions may be arranged topartially overlap. As a result, a recording track can be formed narrowerthan the head width of the magnetic recording head element 28. In thiscase, it is arranged such that a magnetic recording head element 28 onthe left side in the uppermost layer and a magnetic recording headelement 28 on the right side in the bottom layer do not overlap asviewed from the direction of lamination, and both edge portions thereofare disposed so as to match or be slight separated from each other.Because recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , are formed sequentially firstby the magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in the bottom layer, andthen sequentially by other magnetic recording head elements in the upperlayers, the above-mentioned arrangement is necessary in order to preventa left edge portion of a recording track Tr formed by the magneticrecording head element 28 positioned on the right side in the bottomlayer from being overwritten by the right edge portion of anotherrecording track Tr formed by the magnetic recording head element 28positioned on the left side in the uppermost layer.

By way of example, in the first exemplary preferred embodiment of thepresent invention described above, the four pieces of the magneticrecording head elements 28, 28, . . . 28 in lamination as provided inthe magnetic recording head layers 21 are arranged to share a commoninsulating layer 24 therebetween, however, it is not limited thereto,and there may be formed individual insulating layers 24, 24 for eachmagnetic recording head layer 21 as well.

A second exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. A magnetic recording head 20A according tothe second embodiment of the present invention, as compared with themagnetic recording head 20 according to the first embodiment, is similarin that it has eight pieces of magnetic recording head elements, butdiffers in that a distance between two pieces of the magnetic recordinghead elements formed on a same film layer is different from that in thefirst preferred embodiment. This difference will be mainly described inthe following, however omitting description of the other parts that aresimilar to the first embodiment and labeling such parts with a similarnumerals.

Each magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A in thelaminated magnetic recording layers 21A, 21A, . . . , 21A are formed tohave a positional relationship such that both edge lines on the adjacentside of any two pieces of the head elements 28A, 28A adjacent in thedirection of lamination match. As a result, a pitch P₂ in the head widthdirection of two adjacent magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A isapproximately equal to a width (W₂=1μ) of the magnetic recording headelement 28A, 28A, . . . , that is, P₂=W₂ (refer to FIG. 6).

A distance ω₂ between the two magnetic recording head elements 28A and28A formed in a same magnetic recording head layer 21 is set ω₂=11 μM(refer to FIG. 6).

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, eight pieces of magnetic recording headelements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A in lamination can be divided into twogroups of a left side group 35L including four pieces of the magneticrecording head elements on the left-hand side (hereinafter, referred toas the “left-side magnetic pole group”) and a right side group 35Rincluding four pieces of the magnetic recording head elements on theright-hand side (hereinafter, referred to as the “right-side magneticpole group”). A gap g₂ between these two magnetic pole groups 35L and35R is set g₂=8 μm, thereby providing a space to accommodate two othermagnetic pole groups therebetween.

As a result, in the magnetic recording head 20A, a width b₂ givenbetween the leftmost edge of a magnetic recording head element 28A andthe rightmost edge of a magnetic recording head element 28A is set b₂=16μm to accommodate four magnetic pole groups in total therebetween (seeFIG. 6).

The magnetic recording head 20A thus formed is disposed in the notch inthe rotary drum 12 likewise the magnetic recording head 20 according tothe first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Then, when the rotary drum 12 makes one revolution, each of the magneticpole groups 35L and 35R are made scan at respective positions displacedfrom each other by a distance corresponding to two unit widths of themagnetic groups 35R and 35L as indicated in FIG. 7.

As a result, the magnetic recording head 20A is assured to formrecording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr in a lateral direction of therecording track Tr without guard band after making three revolutions(refer to FIG. 7).

Also, in the magnetic recording head 20A according to this secondembodiment of the present invention, likewise the case of the magneticrecording head 20 according to the first preferred embodiment, becausethat a width of each of the magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A, .. . can be reduced and that an alignment error between each of themagnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A, . . . can be minimized,narrower recording tracks with higher density can be formed, therebypermitting realizing a magnetic recording head 20A able to respond toincreasing multi-channeling.

A third exemplary preferred embodiment of the present invention is shownin FIGS. 8 to 10, as applied to a magnetic reproducing head having eightpieces of magneto-resistive effect thin film heads (hereinafter referredto as MR head).

It should be noted that the arrangement of MR heads in a magneticreproducing head 40 according to this third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is almost a similar as the arrangement of the magneticrecording head elements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic recordinghead 20 according to the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the magneticreproducing head 40 as a frontal view in contact with a tape-formrecording medium 4.

By referring to FIG. 8, the magnetic reproducing head 40 is formed byinterposing four layers of magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . .. , 41 between two non-magnetic substrates 42, 43 and also between twoinsulating layers 44, 44 from the upper and the bottom directions.

More specifically, it is formed by laminating the insulating layer 44 onthe bottom non-magnetic substrate 42, a plurality of magneticreproducing head layers 41, 41, on the insulating layer 44, the upperinsulating layer 44 thereon, and fin totaly the upper non-magneticsubstrate 43 (refer to FIG. 8).

Further, each of the plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers 41includes two magnetic shielding layers 45, 45; a MR head (correspondingto a magnetic reproducing head element) interposed between the twomagnetic shielding layers 45, 45; and hard films 47, 47 which arepositioned in a similar layer as the MR head 46 and firmly hold the MRhead 46 from both sides thereof. The hard film 47, by firmly holding theMR head 46 from the both sides thereof, gives a horizontal bias to theMR head 46, as shown in FIG. 8.

Further, each MR head 46 includes sequentially laminating, from thebottom, a SAL (soft adjacent layer) film 48, an intermediate separationfilm (insulating film) 49, and a magneto-resistive effect film (MRelement) 50, as shown in FIG. 8. As the MR head 46 is fabricated by athin film processing, its width W₃ can be formed, for example, W₃=1 μm.

In the magnetic reproducing head lamination layer 41 there are disposedtwo pieces of MR head 46, 46 in the head width direction separated fromeach other by a predetermined distance. As a result, the magneticreproducing head 40 thus assembled has eight pieces of MR heads 46, 46,. . . , 46 in total, as shown in FIG. 8.

Any two pieces of the MR heads 46, 46 adjacent via a magnetic shieldinglayer 45 in the direction of lamination are arranged so as to share onelayer of a common magnetic shielding layer 45 existing therebetween. Asa result, the magnetic reproducing head 40 is formed by alternatelylaminating five magnetic shielding layers 45, 45, . . . , 45 and fourpieces of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 or hard films 47, 47, . . . , 47,such as “the bottom nonmagnetic substrate 42-insulating layer44-magnetic shielding layer 45-MR head 46 or hard film 47-magneticshielding layer 45-MR head 46 or hard film 47-magnetic shielding layer45- . . . -magnetic shielding layer 45-insulating layer 44-the uppernonmagnetic substrate 43”, as shown in FIG. 8.

A positional relationship between each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 inthe magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . , 41 in lamination isarranged such that both edge lines on their adjacent side of any two MRheads 46, 46 adjacent in the direction of lamination are formed so as toapproximately match. As a result, a pitch P3 in the direction of a headwidth of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 formed in lamination isapproximately equal to the width thereof (W₃=1 μm).

In addition, a distance ω₃ between the two MR heads 46,46 formed in asimilar magnetic reproducing head layer 41 is set ω₃=3 μm. As a result,a MR head 46 on the left side in the uppermost magnetic reproducing headlayer 41 and a MR head 46 on the right side in the bottom magneticreproducing head layer 41 are formed in such a manner that they do notoverlap with each other as viewed from the direction of lamination, andthat both edge lines closer to each other are aligned in the directionof lamination, as shown in FIG. 8.

As a result, all of the eight pieces of the MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46formed as laminated in the magnetic reproducing head 40 are displacednot to overlap in the direction of lamination.

Further, the magnetic reproducing head 40 which is fabricated by thethin film process has such an advantage that if an alignment errorbetween any two MR heads 46 and 46 adjacent in the direction oflamination is 0.05 μm, a maximum alignment error induced between theuppermost MR head 46 and the bottom MR head 46 may be suppressed to bewithin4×0.05 μm=0.2 μm.

In addition, because the MR heads 46, 46 in a similar layer are formedusing a same mask, almost no alignment error is originated therebetween.

Therefore, a problem of alignment errors that must be considered betweenthese eight pieces of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 resides only in thedirection of lamination of those MR heads. According to the magneticreproducing head 40 of the third exemplary preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a ratio of displacement relative to a width W₃=1 μmof the MR head 46 can be suppressed within 20% as described above, whichis within an allowable range without affecting reproduction of therecording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr.

In addition, if an increase in the number of channels is required, byincreasing the number of MR heads 46, 46 . . . to be formed in a similarmagnetic reproducing layer 41 instead of increasing the number oflamination, the positional accuracy among MR heads can be furtherimproved, thereby enabling to reproduce a narrower recording track thanconventional, and to implement an increased multi-channeling with anincreased number of channels.

Hereinabove, it is described that the allowable range of displacementrelative to the head width of the MR head 46 is 20%, however, it is onlyan example, and not limited thereto. If its allowable range is large,the number of lamination can be increased, conversely, if its allowablerange is narrow, the number of lamination can be decreased accordingly.

The magnetic reproducing head 40 assembled as described above is mountedon the rotary drum 12 so that its scanning direction on the tape-formrecording medium 4 coincides with the direction of lamination thereof,as shown in FIG. 9.

Hence, according to the magnetic reproducing head 40 described above,the width of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be reduced and thealignment error between MR heads can be minimized, thereby enabling toreproduce information from a narrower recording track with higherdensity, and hence realizing magnetic reproducing head 40 featuring amulti-channeling capability with an increased number of channels, asshown in FIG. 10.

In other words, in the case where, for example, a track width of each ofthe eight recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr recorded on the tape-formrecording medium 4 is equal to a track pitch, that is, even if therecording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr are formed densely packed withoutguard band therebetween, it is allowed for each of the eight pieces ofthe MR heads 46,46, . . . , 46 to scan responding to each of therecording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr, individually, as shown in FIG. 10.

Further, according to the third preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, any two MR heads 46, 46 adjacent in the direction oflamination of the four pieces of the MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 oneither sides of the lamination are arranged to share a common magneticshielding layer 45 therebetween, one of the lamination processes can beomitted thereby reducing the cost of manufacture.

Further, although not indicated in the figures, according to thismagnetic reproducing head 40 of the third preferred embodiment, as theplurality of MR heads 46, 46 are formed in a similar magneticreproducing head layer, it is possible to form electric circuits ofthese MR heads 46, 46 simultaneously in its lamination process, as wellas to share a common electric circuit therebetween, hence simplifyingthe structure.

The third preferred embodiment of the present invention described abovehas been set forth by way of example of the magnetic reproducing head 40in which four layers of the magnetic reproducing head layers embeddingfour pieces of MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 on both sides thereof arelaminated, however, the number of laminations is not limited thereto, sothat it may be two, three or any number, provided that the alignmenterror between the MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 falls within its allowablerange.

Further, the above magnetic reproducing head 40 is described by way ofexample, in which the magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . ,41 are formed as sandwiched between the upper and the lower nonmagneticsubstrates 42 and 43, the arrangement of which is suitable as a magneticreproducing head for use with a recording medium in tape form, however,it is not limited thereto, and in the case for use with a disk-shapedrecording medium, its magnetic reproducing head may be comprised bylaminating the aforementioned magnetic shielding layers 45, 45, . . . ,45, and magnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41, . . . , 41 alternatelyon one common nonmagnetic substrate.

Still further, according to the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention described above, any two MR heads 46 and 46 adjacentin the direction of lamination are formed so that the left edge line ofthe one on the right-hand side and the right edge line of the other onthe left-hand side are aligned in the direction of lamination, however,it is not limited thereto, and both edge portions adjacent may be formedpartially to overlap as well. Depending on how the recording tracks Tr,Tr, . . . , Tr are formed on the tape-form recording medium 4, MR heads46, 46, . . . , 46 may be formed corresponding thereto. By way ofexample, if the MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 are formed partially tooverlap in the magnetic reproducing head 40, a non-tracking reproductiondescribed in the magnetic reproducing head according to its thirdpreferred embodiment disclosed in the aforementioned JP-A Laid-Open No.2000-348377 can be achieved.

With reference to FIG. 11, a modified version of the magneticreproducing head 40 according to the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention described above is shown. A magnetic reproducing head40A according to this modified version includes further forming anintermediate insulating layer 51 between the magnetic reproducing headlayers 41 and 41.

That is, the magnetic reproducing head 40A is formed by alternatelylaminating four layers of magnetic reproducing layers 41, 41, . . . , 41and three layers of intermediate insulating layers 51, 51, . . . , 51,for example, such as “a bottom nonmagnetic substrate 42-insulating layer44-magnetic reproducing head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer51-magnetic reproducing head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer51-magnetic reproducing head layer 41-intermediate insulating layer51-magnetic reproducing head layer 41-insulating layer 44-uppernonmagnetic substrate 43”, as shown in FIG. 11.

In other words, unlike the magnetic reproducing head 40 according to thethird preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which themagnetic shielding layers 45, 45, . . . are shared between the twomagnetic reproducing head layers 41, 41 adjacent in the direction oflamination, because there is provided an intermediate insulating layer51 between any two MR heads 46 and 46 adjacent in the direction oflamination, a crosstalk between these two MR heads 46, 46 may beeliminated, thereby enabling to achieve further higher density recordingand reproducing of information.

With reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a fourth preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is be described as follows. A magnetic reproducinghead 40B according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is similar to the magnetic reproducing head 40 according tothe first preferred embodiment of the present invention in that thereare provided eight pieces of MR heads, however, it differs in that adistance between two MR heads formed in a same film layer is differenttherefrom. This difference will be described specifically in thefollowing, omitting description of the other portions which are asimilar or similar as in the magnetic reproducing head 40 according tothe third preferred embodiment, and labeled with the same numerals.

It should be noted that the arrangement of MR heads 46A, 46A, . . . ,46A in the magnetic reproducing head 40B according to the fourthpreferred embodiment of the present invention is approximately a similaras that of the magnetic recording head elements 28A, 28A, . . . , 28A inthe magnetic recording head 20A according to the second preferredembodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 12.

A positional relationship of the MR heads 46A, 46A, . . . , 46A in themagnetic reproducing head layers 41A, 41A, . . . , 41A as laminated isarranged such that both edge lines on their adjacent side of any two MRheads 46A, 46A adjacent in the direction of lamination are formed toapproximately match with each other, thereby a pitch P₄ in the headwidth direction between the centers of any two adjacent MR heads 46A,46A is formed approximately equal to a width of the head (W₄=1 μm),hence P₄=W₄, as shown in FIG. 12.

Furthermore, a distance ω₄ between the two pieces of MR heads 46A and46A formed in a similar magnetic reproducing layer 41A is set that ω₄=11μm, as shown in FIG. 12.

That is, the eight pieces of the MR heads 46A, 46A, . . . , 46A aslaminated are divided into two groups of 46L which includes four piecesof MR heads on the left-hand side (hereinafter, referred to as theleft-side MR head group) and 46R which includes the other four pieces ofMR heads on the right-hand side (hereinafter, referred to as theright-side MR head group). Here, it should be noted that the distance g₄between these two MR head groups 46L and 46R is set g₄=8 μm, therebysecuring a space to accommodate two more MR head groups therebetween, asshown in FIG. 12.

As a result, the magnetic reproducing head 40B has a width b₄ (b₄=16 μm)extending from its leftmost edge to its rightmost edge so as toaccommodate four groups of MR heads therebetween, as shown in FIG. 12.

The magnetic reproducing head 40B thus formed is disposed in the notchof the rotary drum 12 in a similar manner as the magnetic reproducinghead 40 according to the first preferred embodiment.

When the rotary drum 12 makes one revolution, the MR head groups 46L and46R are made scan a position on the recording tracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Trdisplaced by a amount corresponding to a width of two MR head groups of46L and 46R, as indicated in FIG. 13.

As a result, when the rotary drum 12 makes three revolutions, themagnetic reproducing head 40A is made reproduce the whole recordingtracks Tr, Tr, . . . , Tr which are densely packed without guard band inthe width direction thereof, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

With reference to FIG. 14, a fifth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown, which is applied to a magnetic head which has eightpieces of MR heads and eight pieces of magnetic recording head elements.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of a magnetichead 60 according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, as a frontal view having contact with a tape-form recordingmedium 4.

The magnetic head 60 is formed by alternately laminating four layers ofmagnetic recording head layers 61, 61, . . . , 61 and four layers ofmagnetic reproducing head layers 62, 62, . . . , 62 on a bottomnonmagnetic substrate 63, then an upper nonmagnetic substrate 64 on anuppermost magnetic reproducing head layer 62.

By way of example, each magnetic recording head layer 61 described abovehas a similar structure as that in the first preferred embodiment, andeach magnetic reproducing head layer 62 described above has a similarstructure as that in the third preferred embodiment.

In addition, each magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in a magneticrecording head layer 61 and each MR heads 46, 46 in a magneticreproducing head layer 62 immediately thereon are formed to match witheach other in a positional relationship as viewed from the direction oflamination.

As a result, in the direction of the head width, each of two magneticrecording head elements 28, 28 in the magnetic recording head 61 andeach of two MR heads 46, 46 in the magnetic reproducing head layer 62laminated on the layer 61 are disposed corresponding to each other,forming a pair, as shown in FIG. 14.

As a result, according to the magnetic head 60 laminated as describedabove, a width of each magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . . . ,28 and each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be reduced, and also, analignment error between each magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, .. . , 28 and each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be minimized. As aconsequence, recording and reproducing of information to and fromnarrower recording tracks with higher density are enabled, therebyproviding an improved multi-channeling capability to the magnetic head60.

Further, according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention described above, because a pair of a magnetic recording headelement 28 and a MR head 46 reside in the magnetic recording head layer61 and the magnetic reproducing head layer 62 adjacent in the directionof lamination, both of the pair can be formed in closest proximity,thereby enabling to minimize an alignment error in the direction of thehead width for the pair of the magnetic recording head element 28 andthe MR head 46 to the least.

With reference to FIG. 15, a sixth preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown, which is applied to a magnetic head which has eightpieces of MR heads and eight pieces of magnetic recording head elements.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic head 70 according to thesixth preferred embodiment, and shows a frontal view in enlargement as afrontal view having contact with a tape-form recording medium 4.

The magnetic head 70 is formed by sequentially laminating four layers ofmagnetic recording head layers 71, 71, . . . , 71 to form a magneticrecording head layer group 73 on a bottom nonmagnetic substrate 72, thensequentially laminating four layers of magnetic reproducing head layers74, 74, . . . , 74 to form a magnetic reproducing head layer group 75 onthe magnetic recording head layer group 73, and laminating an uppernonmagnetic substrate 76 on the magnetic reproducing head layer group75.

By way of example, each magnetic recording head layer 71 has a similarstructure as that in the first preferred embodiment, and each magneticreproducing head layer 74 has a similar structure as that in the thirdpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

Further, a positional relationship between each magnetic recording headelements 28, 28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic recording head layer group73 is similar to that between each magnetic recording head elements 28,28, . . . , 28 in the magnetic recording head 20 according to the firstpreferred embodiment, and further, a positional relationship betweeneach MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 in the magnetic reproducing head layergroup 75 is similar to that between the each MR heads, 46, 46, . . . ,46 in the magnetic reproducing head 40 according to the third preferredembodiment of the present invention.

As a result, magnetic recording head elements 28, 28 in each magneticrecording head layer 71 in the magnetic recording head layer group 73and MR heads 46, 46 in each magnetic reproducing head layer 74 in themagnetic reproducing head layer group 75 are formed in a same relativeposition in the head width direction, forming respective pairs in avertical direction, as shown in FIG. 15.

As a result, advantageously, according to the magnetic head 70 thusfabricated, widths of each magnetic recording head elements 28, 28, . .. , 28 and of each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can be minimized, andalso an alignment error between each magnetic recording head elements28, 28, . . . , 28 as well as each MR heads 46, 46, . . . , 46 can beminimized, thereby enabling to record and reproduce information to andfrom a narrower and higher density recording track, and therebyproviding an improved multi-channeling capability to the magnetic head70.

Still further, according to the sixth preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, after laminating a plurality of the magneticrecording head layers 71, 71, . . . , 71, a plurality of the magneticreproducing head layers 74, 74, . . . , 74 are laminated thereon,thereby enabling to simplify the manufacturing process.

That is, because an environment of the process such as temperaturediffers between the manufacturing of the magnetic recording head layersand manufacturing of the magnetic reproducing head layers, if it is madeset up a different process environment after completion of themanufacture of the magnetic recording head layers for starting thelamination of magnetic reproducing head layers, alteration of processenvironment can be reduced to one time, thereby enabling to simplify themanufacturing process.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a schematic diagram of a disk drive usingthe magnetic head 60 or 70 described above.

A disk drive 80 is provided with a drive mechanism 82 for rotating adisk-shaped recording medium 81, and a head transport mechanism 83 fortransporting the magnetic head 60 or 70 in a radius direction of thedisk-shaped recording medium 81, wherein the head transport mechanism 83is comprised of a head slider 84 for supporting the magnetic head 60 or70, a suspension 85 for allowing the head slider 84 to make an elasticcontact with the disk-shaped recording medium 81, and a suspension arm86 connected to the head transport mechanism 83 for supporting thesuspension 85, as shown in FIG. 16.

When the disk-shaped recording medium 81 rotates driven by the drivemechanism 82, the magnetic head 60 or 70 supported by the head slider 84performs recording or reproducing of a signal to and from thedisk-shaped recording medium 81.

By performing the recording or reproducing of the signal to and from thedisk-shaped recording medium 81 by means of the magnetic head 60 or 70described above, it is enabled to accomplish the multi-channeling andhigh density recording and reproducing of the information.

Hereinabove, each exemplary preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been described by way of example of the magnetic headwhich has the eight pieces of magnetic heads elements, however, itshould be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto.

Further, in the above description of the exemplary preferredembodiments, its tape drive system has been described by way of exampleof a so-called helical scan tape system using the rotary drum, however,the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to alinear scan tape system as well.

Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in itspreferred form with a certain degree of particularity, many changes,variations, combinations and sub-combinations are possible herein. It istherefore to be understood that any modifications will be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

1-2. (canceled)
 3. A magnetic reproducing head comprising a plurality ofmagnetic reproducing head layers laminated on a substrate made of anon-magnetic material, each of said plurality of the magneticreproducing head layers including magnetic reproducing head elementsfabricated by a thin film process and interposed between two magneticshielding layers, and all of said magnetic reproducing head elementsbeing displaced from each other in a head width direction constitutingan orthogonal direction relative to a direction of lamination, whereinsaid plurality of magnetic reproducing head layers includes a pluralityof magnetic reproducing head elements formed at a predetermined pitch.4. The magnetic reproducing head according to claim 3, wherein any twomagnetic reproducing head elements adjacent in the direction oflamination share a common magnetic shielding layer.
 5. The magneticreproducing head according to claim 3, wherein any two magneticreproducing head elements adjacent in the direction of laminationfurther include an insulating layer interposed between said two magneticshielding layers. 6-11. (canceled)
 12. The tape drive according to claim11, wherein any two magnetic reproducing head elements adjacent in thedirection of lamination share a common magnetic shielding layer.
 13. Thetape drive according to claim 11, further comprising an insulating layerprovided between two magnetic shielding layers interposed between thetwo magnetic reproducing head elements which are adjacent in thedirection of lamination. 14-19. (canceled)